Diapoules’ poor start leads to re-assignment

The Springfield Cardinals sent right-hander Mark Diapoules back to High-A Palm Beach on Monday, two days after he lasted only eight batters — or 24 pitches — in his Hammons Field debut.

The team has not announced a roster move, but the Cardinals are likely to shift Brian Broderick back into the starting rotation. The right-hander has worked out of the bullpen in recent days after being briefly shelved over concerns about pain in his right (throwing) shoulder.

In fairness, Diapoules wasn’t really ready to face experienced, Double-A hitters and was only summoned from Palm Beach in order to cover innings after Springfield lost starters David Kopp and Chuckie Fick to promotions to Triple-A.

His inexperience showed. He recorded only one out Saturday in a first inning that went: single, walk, walk, line-drive out, run-scoring single, run-scoring hit by pitch, run-scoring hit by pitch and run-scoring walk.

The Cardinals are off Tuesday and Wednesday for the Texas League All-Star break and will likely make additional roster moves just ahead of their Thursday night game in Frisco, Texas, the start of a six-game Texas road trip.